Drug sting nets 11 arrests

Undercover operation nabs suspects in Rockdale, Cameron

By MIKE BROWN

Reporter Editor

Gathered at first raid site, 100 block of Travis Street are (L-R) Constable Herbie Vaughan, Police Chief Thomas Harris, State Trooper Erik Gaston, Deputy Mike Hoyt, Deputy Josh Clouse. On porch, Sheriff David Greene, Lt. J. D. Newlin. Reporter/Mike Brown
A morning full of patrol cars, badges and handcuffs throughout Rockdale Tuesday was part of a county-wide series of drug raids that eventually resulted in eleven arrests, all in Rockdale and Cameron.

Rockdale police, the Milam County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Public of Safety and Constable Herbie Vaughan converged on a residence in the 100 block of Travis Street at 9 a.m. to serve the day’s first search warrant.

Rockdale residents Trey Mitchell, 24, and Vanette Yumon Wilburn, 36, were arrested at that location and charged with possession of a controlled substance.

The raid was just one-half block from the Patterson Civic Center, where a Chamber of Commerce workshop was in progress.

Police activity was the topic of discussion at that workshop and throughout most of Rockdale as the morning wore on.

More arrests
Before the day was over eight more persons, named in sealed indictments returned by a Milam County Grand Jury Aug. 19, had been arrested and another turned himself in early Wednesday.

Deputy Chris White listed them as follows:

• Darrell Dewayne Shropshire, two indictments for delivery of a controlled substance (less than one gram).

“When he was arrested he was found in possession of 1.2 grams of crack cocaine and drew an additional charge of delivery of a controlled substance,” White said.

• Adrian Donell Morrison, one indictment for theft (less than $1,500), enhanced. session of marijuana (less than 2 ounces), drawing additional charges of possession of marijuana and tampering with evidence, when he attempted to destroy the marijuana,” White said.

• Ismael Vargas, turned himself in Wednesday morning, charged with delivery of a controlled substance (less than one gram), two counts, delivery of a controlled substance (1 to 4 grams), delivery of marijuana (one-fourth ounce to five pounds).

Already in jail

White said while the agencies were in Cameron searching for suspect Hatera Henderson, a search warrant was served in the 400 block of North Nolan Street.

“It was then learned Mr. Henderson had been incarcerated in Brazos County on an unrelated charge,” White said.

Three-month probe

White said Tuesday’s arrests were part of a three-month investigation in which Sheriff David Greene’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) successfully conducted undercover buys for about three months in Rockdale and Cameron.

Prosecutor Kerry Spears then brought the results of 20 cases before the grand jury, producing a total of 12 indictments.

Agencies taking part were the SIU, led by Investigator Mike Clore, Rockdale and Cameron Police Departments, Constables Herbie Vaughn and John Anderle, the Department of Public Safety state troopers and Texas Ranger Matt Lindemann.

“The entire operation hinged on being able to prove the identity of the subjects who were selling the narcotics,” he said. “Therefore a quality video system would have to be used in the undercover car.”

“County Judge Frank Summers supported the idea and found funding for the covert video system used in Tuesday’s raids,” Greene said.